More mental illness in jails than psychiatric facilities, court told

An inquest into a death in custody has heard that there are more people suffering from serious mental illnesses in South Australia's jails than its psychiatric hospitals.

Forensic psychiatrist, Dr Craig Raeside, told the coroner's court that most of the 40 beds at James Nash House and Glenside Hospital are being taken by people who were found not guilty of crimes due to mental impairment.

He says he believes there are inmates in the Adelaide Remand Centre and Yatala prison who are in far greater need of the mental health facilities.

Dr Raeside says he expects things to worsen, especially if one of the facilities is transferred to Murray Bridge, south-east of Adelaide.

Dr Raeside was a witness at an inquest into the death of Arthur Charles Smith, who hanged himself with sheets at Yatala in 2005.